(Chapter 58) God so Loved the World that He Gave His Son:

God so Loved the World that He Gave His Son: The greatest Spiritual battle ever fought – part fifty two

As I sit at my computer to write this week’s blog post, I’m troubled in my spirit. What a way to start right? Couldn’t I come up with something a little more cheerful? Believe me, I would much rather compose something that is cheerful and Light-hearted. The Holy Spirit just won’t let me go that way in this one.

As I look around today, I see worry, distress, anxiety and suffering everywhere and at all levels of society. I am reminded that Jesus Himself tells us in the Bible in John 16:33a about the trouble that we are all witnessing today:

John 16:33a (NIV)
³³ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.

In John 11:33 and John 13:21 we are told that Jesus himself at times had a troubled Spirit. Jesus would view circumstances that were sad or seemed to be unfair, and He would become troubled in His spirit. Here are a couple examples:

John 11:33-35 (NLT2)
³³ When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵ Then Jesus wept.

John 13:21 (NLT2)
²¹ Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

There certainly is lots of sadness in the world today, and things going on that seem to be unfair. As I mentioned earlier, it is happening in all levels of society. We find it in all the vast corners of the world, and right down to our own lives and families. Have you ever said, “That is just so unfair”? Do you know that you are right? So many things in life are unfair!!! Why is it that way you ask? Because we are engaged in an all-out war, and one side doesn’t play fair!!! Why doesn’t God just zap the enemy and make things fair??? Good question… but we must consider this:

We were all given free will when we were born. We are free to choose God in our life, and we are free to say no to God. The choice we don’t often talk about is: acknowledging the existence of God but not surrendering our life to Him. Keep in mind that satan himself believes in God, he just refuses to surrender his life to Him!!! Folks, the third choice is the one that has me troubled in my spirit.

Matthew 7:21-23 (NLT2)
²¹ “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. ²² On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ ²³ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

It is difficult to understand why anyone would resist developing a relationship with Jesus Christ when it is so easy to do and the benefits are tremendous. All you have to do is say, “Jesus, please forgive me for my sins and become my Lord and Savior.” If you pray a prayer like that, and really mean it, you have started a relationship with Him! Get into the Word of God on a regular basis, and spend time talking with Him in prayer. You will soon get to know Jesus as a brother who loves you!

Romans 10:13 (NLT2)
¹³  For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

Jesus will give us peace in a world full of trouble!
Here is part “b” of John 16:33, the passage that we started the blog post with regarding trouble:

John 16:33b (NIV)
³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.“

At this moment, we are watching tornadoes rush across Nebraska and head toward Iowa. Please be in prayer for those in the path of the storms!